They say that Richard Cory owns one half of this whole townWith political connections to spread his wealth aroundBorn into society a banker's only childHe had everything a man could want power, grace and styleBut I work in his factory and I curse the life I'm livingAnd I curse my poverty and I wish that I could beOh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory

The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goesRichard Cory at the opera Richard Cory at a showAnd the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yachtOh he surely must be happy with everything he's gotBut I work in his factory and I curse the life I'm livingAnd I curse my poverty and I wish that I could beOh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory

He freely gave to charity he had the common touchAnd they were grateful for his patronage and they thanked him very muchSo my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines readRichard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his headBut I work in his factory and I curse the life I'm livingAnd I curse my poverty and I wish that I could beOh I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Richard Cory